Device for use in picking berries, and the like

ABSTRACT

A portable trough for collecting berries, and the like, having one end closed for location against a user with the other end extending away from the user, suspension means extending from the trough for engagement about the user, and a receiver on the other trough end for receiving engagement with a plant being picked.

1151 3,705,485 1451 Dec. 12,1972

United States Patent Toomer [54 DEVICE FOR USE IN PICKING 0 1 1111 2 lnmwfl 2o L lli- 9 6/1905 7/ 1 883 Castor 441,971 12/1890 Potterf 9/1917 Fellows 7/1960 Colon 2/1916 Canterbury...... 5/1902 Blydenburgh.........................

ABSTRACT Primary Examiner-Russell R. Kinsey Assistant Examiner-J. A. Oliff .....56/330, 56/3 Attorney-Robert K. Youtie- ..A0lg 19/00 .56/328 R, 330, 332-340 [57] A portable trough for collecting berries, and the like, having one end closed for location against a user with the other end extending away from the user, suspension means extending from the trough for engagement about the user, and a receiver on the other trough end for receiving engagement with a plant being picked.

4 Cla1ms, 3 Drawlng Flgures Charles H. Toomer, Elm Avenue, Berlin, NJ. 08009 July 21, 1971 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1890 Blackburn...... '7/1916 Elkins............. 3/1919 Uhlarick..."

L e n 4" r m 1. 9 1. 0 .l

BERRIES, AND THE LIKE [72] Inventor:

[22] Filed: 21] App1.No.: 164,620

[52] US. [51] 1111. [58] Field of Search [5 PATENTEDnEc 12 1912 3.705.485

11. I v 20) K19 1n 22 H. TOOMEK MENTOR BY (mu KW;

ATTORNEY DEVICE FOR USE IN LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a unique device for collecting berries, and the like, which overcomes the above-men- PICKING BERRIES, AND THE tione'd difficulties, is extremely convenient to use,

greatly enhancing a users picking efficiency and capacity, is extremely simple in construction for economy in -manufacture, durability and reliability throughout a long useful life, and which is light in weight andcomfortable to carry, so as to be highly desirable both to theuser and employer.

While the device of the present invention has been primarily developed and employed for use in picking berries, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference thereto, it is appreciated that the instant device is well adapted for utilization in a wide variety of harvesting operations, all of which are intended to be comprehended herein.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3 thereof, the berrypicking device is there generally designated 10, and includes an elongate scoop or trough 11 having its upper side open,

as shown in the drawings.

More particularly, the trough or scoop 11 may advantageously be formed from relatively light weight sheet metal, such as aluminum, but other suitable 1 2 laterally across the trough between the upper side edges thereof and the end wall 15. Thus, the smaller end region of the device may be considered as defining a receptacle or pocket 17 opening longitudinally inwardly of the trough 11, all for a purpose appearing presently.

At a region of the elongate trough l1 spaced intermediate the trough ends,'there may be provided on opposite sides of the trough suitable securing means, such as slots 18 for securement to the trough of opposite end portions 19 of a flexible suspension elementor strap 20. The strap or suspension element 20 is best seen in FIG. 1 as having its end portions secured to respective sides of the trough 11, as through slots 18.

"The larger end 12 'of trough 11 remains open, and may be suitably provided with a branch receiver 22. The receiver 22may advantageously be defined by'a cutout or notch extending inwardly from the trough end 12, spaced laterally medially thereof.

Depending from the other end 13 of the trough 11 may be an extension or engaging member 23, such as a bar having one end fixedly secured to the trough ancl having its other end free of the trough.

, In use of the instant device, the smaller, closed trough end 13 is located adjacent to the person of a user, say adjacent to the users waist as seen in FIG. 1, and the trough extends outwardly from the user. The engaging member or depending extension 23 may be frictionally engaged or inserted downwardly into the users clothing, as within a users waistband or belt. The flexible strap or loop 20 may be placed over the users head so as to engage about the users neck, also as seen in FIG. 1, to support the trough 11 in an outwardly and upwardly inclined relation to retain berries, or the like, in the pocket 17. It will be seen that this arrangement leaves the users arms and hands completely free to perform necessary picking manipulations. Further, the

material may also be employed. The trough may be of generally arcuate cross-sectional configuration, having one end open, as at 12 and tapering from the latter end toward the other end 13. The latter end 13 is advantageously closed, as by an end wall 15. Further, the trough II has its end region adjacent to end 13 covered, as by a top wall or covering 16 extending receiver or notch 22 is adapted for receiving engagement with respect to a branch of a bush or plant to maintain the trough in proper position with respect to the bush. Following the picking of a desired quantity of berries and their collection in the trough 11, it is only necessary for theuser to tilt the trough downwardly for discharging the picked berries into a container or flat for further processing.

Under certain circumstances the trough 11 may advantageously be fabricated of transparent material, as to afiord visual access through the trough for surer footing and the like. Also, the trough may be fabricated of reticulated, perforated or screen material, as for visibility and to gravitationally pass dirt and other undesirable material.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides a device for use in picking berries, and the like, which is extremely simple in construction, requiring no moving parts, so as to be reliable throughout a long useful life, and which otherwise fully accomplishes its intended objects.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for use in picking berries and the like, said device comprising a generally semi-frusto-conical relatively stiff form retaining trough having one side open for carrying by a user with its open side facing upwardly, a closure on one end of said trough for placement against the person of the user with the other end away from the user, suspension means extending from said trough spaced from said one trough end for engagement about the neck of a user, an engaging member projecting downwardly from said one trough end for holding engagement in a users s clothing a partial covering over said trough at said one trough end for retaining collected berries and the like with said trough extending upwardly and outwardly, and a receiver on said other trough end for receiving engagement with a plant being operated upon for firm endwise interposition between the plant and user.

2. A device according to claim 1, said receiver being defined by an outwardly opening notch in said other trough end for receiving a branch of a plant.

3. A device according to claim 1, said suspension means comprising a strap having opposite ends secured to opposite sides of said trough at a region spaced from said one trough end.

4. A device according to claim 3, said receiver being defined by an outwardly opening cutout in said other trough end for reception of a branch of a plant. 

1. A device for use in picking berries and the like, said device comprising a generally semi-frusto-conical relatively stiff form retaining trough having one side open for carrying by a user with its open side facing upwardly, a closure on one end of said trough for placement against the person of the user with the other end away from the user, suspension means extending from said trough spaced from said one trough end for engagement about the neck of a user, an engaging member projecting downwardly from said one trough end for holding engagement in a user''s s clothing a partial covering over said trough at said one trough end for retaining collected berries and the like with said trough extending upwardly and outwardly, and a receiver on said other trough end for receiving engagement with a plant being operated upon for firm endwise interposition between the plant and user.
 2. A device according to claim 1, said receiver being defined by an outwardly opening notch in said other trough end for receiving a branch of a plant.
 3. A device according to claim 1, said suspension means comprising a strap having opposite ends secured to opposite sides of said trough at a region spaced from said one trough end.
 4. A device according to claim 3, said receiver being defined by an outwardly opening cutout in said other trough end for reception of a branch of a plant. 